I'm currently a student at Texas Tech University, and am about to study abroad at the University of New York in Prague. I was curious on how local people felt about Texans, if they like us, dislike us or if you don't really know. I'm very curious to learn about y'alls culture as I have never left Texas before. Replies are very much appreciated. Thank Y'all, Brett
Hi Brett! In Europe you'll simply be an American and it will be largely up to you to be a good ambassador for Texas. Bring cowboy boots, they always look impressive. :wink: Eva
well Eva there's no way I can leave home without my cowboy boots. I imagine if I wear them I'll tend to stick out? Is that good or bad? Also, I heard people over there look at Texans different than Americans, is that not true? This should be a very interesting trip for me, as I've never really been out of Texas before. Also, I hear many Europeans don't take to kind to Americans, so I just don't know what to expect. I appreciate your advice. Thanks, Brett
Unless you wear the spurs on them, there should be no problem No, really, if you dress like a cowboy, you will be considered a cowboy. If you do not want this, dress otherwise. Hm, there is always this "cowboy hat and boots" stereotype, but apart from that, Czechs usually do not see any difference among the Americans. Texas, Arizona, Northern Dacota or Pennsylvania - most people do not know where exactly these states are, or if some of them even exist
Cowboy boots and stetson hat - A personal experience: I live in a cowboy country (Calgary, Canada) an I can testify that cowboy boots made my husband's fame. Yes, sir! The first time we visited family in Prague and friends in France, his cowboy boots were much admired. We also brought a stetson hat as a gift to a publisher in Paris and the guy proudly wore it to his office. That was some years ago and sentiments toward America may have changed somewhat (thanks to your fellow Texan, Bush) but the American West still sounds romantic. This said, don't overdo it or else they'll think that you are dressed for a costume ball. Personally, I like Americans very much. I think you are friendly, energetic, enthusiastic and sometimes unintentionally wrong. Vote Kerry!
Brett, Speaking as a Texan (currently in exile up in the snowy NE), I can tell you that most Czechs I met most certainly did recognize Texas and in some cases I did feel that they they treated me somewhat differently than other Americans because I was from Texas (in spite of my not wearing cowboy boots ). First, there were are the obvious stereotypes (mostly from the generation that still remembers the series "Dallas" :roll: ): cowboy/rancher, oil tychoon/millionaire. I often got asked where my hat and boots were, how big my ranch was, how much oil I had, etc. Most of these comments came from the 30-ish to 50-year-old crowd (this was back in 1994 to 1996), but I even heard it occasionally from teenagers and the college-aged crowd. It gets old really fast! Second, we Texans (and Southerners in general) have a reputation for being more open, friendly and honest than other Americans, and some of that seems to have filtered over to the Czech Republic. I found that some Czechs seemed to open up to me more quickly than to some other Americans due to my being from Texas (Czechs typically don't open up to new people quickly). This wasn't too common, but common enough to have made an impression on me. As for what effect the U.S.A.'s current political situation has had on Czechs' views of Texans, I can't say, as I haven't been there in over 8 years. Good luck in Prague! P.S. Wish you Red Raiders had taken out OU a few weeks back. Now it's up to A&M to do it for us (go Aggies!).
thanks for your reply sova, I sure hope the aggies can take them out also, in 2 weeks the mighty red raiders play y'all down in college station, it should be a dandy. Thanks, Brett
Actually I'm not an Aggie fan (I grew up in Houston and later Austin), but I'll pick them over OU any day.
I am Texas Tech Alumni! I just returned from a fabulous vacation in Prague from Dec to Jan. It is deffinately one of the coolest places on earth! The women are stunning, and plentiful, and most importantly approachable. Geesh man I actually feel for this girl while I was there, and now I am having issues with wether or not to bring her to Cali to visit me? Any way just be yourself, and if you are friendly as most Texans are, you will be warmly welcomed. FYI, young people tend to speak better english than the older generation in Prague. Have fun at NY university. I actually saw that place while I was there. Man you are going to have a blast, wish I was going back, but I am a so-called professional now which means I have to work for a living. What a bummer. Peace,
There are lots of czechs in texas, but Mr. Bush has tarnished your reputation. But if you go to New york university it won't be a problem. Czechs are always nice, at least at first. They'll never tell you they think you're an idiot; although they'll tell everyone else around you. So in short, don't worry about it. I'd skip the boots and hat unless you're going to one of the country music clubs which there are a lot of. PS, I'm out of Redman, could you bring me some as it's illegal in the EU.
BrettTexasTech, You talk of Texas like it's a separate entity, a country of its own, or somehow special then rest. I find that amusing! Go Vols! Paul
Well it is different and we were our own country at one point and most of us wouldn't mind if we still were. Anyway, I've always heard that Texans are viewed different than everybody else from America. Heck even most of America thinks we're completely different, when I'm out of state (west coast, colorado, or in New England) I often get asked if I ride my horse to school, or where my boots are at if I'm not wearing them etc. etc.
yes, and most of americas wishes you were a different country too! Think about it, no Johnson and bushes! The world would be so much better and millions more peopole would still be alive. The greatest mass murders in history are from Texas. make Hitler look like a mere boob.
>Anyway, I've always heard that Texans are viewed different than everybody else from America.< Naturally, thanks to Hollywood, people know instantly where Texas is located and what it looks like as opposed to let's say Idaho or North Dakota. The cowboy image is a burden you have to carry everywhere - if you consider it a burden. Is that your only problem? I don't agree with Tuzemski's evaluation of Texans. The ones I met were truly nice people.
Hey hey hey there. I don't know how many times I have to say it before it gets old but Bush ain't Texan he's a transplanted yankee. And to think he does his damndest to make himself try and pass as a Texan. Trust me we're not as bad as him. The smuck was born in New Haven, Conneticut. As for Texans in the Czech Republic I didn't have any problems. They were great to me, at least the ones I met. My wife's father has us get him stuff specifically texan and gets a real kick out of it. However, the last time I was there was before Bush was elected president and proceeded to ruin the reputation of every Texan in the free world. :roll:
When I was travelling around Western and Central Europe last year (2004). Locals quite often assumed that me and my family were Americans (We were asked on numerous times "Are you Americans?"). In which case (particlarly in France), we were quite often met with a hostile approach. The reason why I am saying this is because, when we replied/said that we were from Australia, many people seemed to change their approach to us, honestly seeming more friendly and not so stand-offish. And when asking locals what they thought of Americans, on most occasions I was left with a no opionion, others simply dissaproved, mainly on part of the American intervention in global issues, and of course Iraq.
